San Miguel Dog Show this weekend
By Jacqueline Hall

21st Annual Dog Show
San Miguel Kennel Club
Sat, Oct 11, 10am
Sun, Oct 12, 9am
Hotel Real de Minas
Ancha de San Antonio, cnr Stirling Dickinson
Free

Mexico is known worldwide for its championship dogs and you can see some of the best at the 21st Annual San Miguel Kennel Club Dog Show which will host dogs from all over Mexico and the States. Trophies are awarded each day to the best in each of the 10 groups from toys to mastiffs, culminating in the excitement of Best in Show.

The San Miguel Kennel Club again honors Lascelles de Premio Real, a Canadian international judge who moved to San Miguel from Mexico City after helping found Mexico’s famous Club Canofilo. “Lascie” was also known for saving the unique Mexican hairless, the Xolohitzcuintle. The San Miguel Kennel Club is the only sanctioned show in the world to award a trophy for the Best Xolo in Lascie’s honor.

The entries will be shown in their group rings in front of well-known international judges. Bring the children and join in the excitement on the beautiful grounds of the Hotel Real de Minas, buy your own champion a new leash at one of the tempting stalls, enjoy lunch at the hotel, cheer Mexico’s new champion Best in Show!

RAVS returns to San Miguel
By Kay Gibson

Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) will make its third visit to San Miguel de Allende in October. RAVS is a US-based organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of the burros, horses and mules owned by people who either cannot afford or have no access to veterinary services. Dr. Eric Davis is the founder of RAVS, which is supported by The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society International and Brooke Hospital for Animals in England. RAVS does not compete with the services of local veterinarians; rather, it provides services to animals that are not receiving veterinary care. The organization invites the participation of local veterinarians who wish to work with RAVS or to observe its work. RAVS appreciates the information local vets have on problems specific to the animals in the municipality of San Miguel.

RAVS first came to San Miguel in 2006 after working with the local government under Mayor Luis Alberto Villarreal. It provided services to the animals in four communities with the valuable assistance and advice of local veterinarian Dr. Gerardo Carranza. Maru Riba, a local businesswoman, also deserves many thanks. Without her knowledge and help, RAVS would never have made it to San Miguel. Sra. Riba knew whom to contact and what to do to bring RAVS to San Miguel.

RAVS continued its work in 2007 under the Mayor Jesús Correa, providing services to the animals in five more communities. This work was accomplished through the generous contribution of US$2,000, which paid for a van for RAVS’s use. This year, RAVS will return to some of the communities it has previously served to determine the results of its work.

What is most exciting about RAVS’ visit this year is that Dr. Davis and Dr. Susan Monger will be meeting with local pet enthusiasts, both in groups and individually, who are interested in seeing RAVS establish an office here. This will allow RAVS to provide ongoing veterinarian services to the poorest and/or most isolated communities. While Dr. Davis’ focus is burros, horses and mules, Dr. Monger’s is dogs and cats. So, it appears that the local office would be helpful in dealing with the overpopulation of dogs and cats in rural areas. If you are interested in participating in this meeting, email Dr. Davis at edavis6702@aol.com.

RAVS has been providing its services for some time to Peru and Guatemala. After the Guatemalan government picked up the program, RAVS chose to expand its program to Mexico. RAVS also provides services to American Indian reservations and wild mustang programs in the US.

To make a donation or for more information contact Dr. Davis at the above email address, Kay Gibson at kleeceltic@yahoo.com  or Maru Riba at maruriba@yahoo.com. 

From the SPA
By Natalie Hardy

The cats of Recoleta Cemetery

She arrives punctually at 7:55am each day in a taxi, at the gates of Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. From the car’s trunk, she unloads a private, wheeled shopping cart filled with supplies.

She loads it with tools, utensils, a large kettle of food, bags, sweep broom and dustpan. Her name is Marta Diaz de Almida Huerta, a diminutive lady of modest means.

I had heard about the cats of Recoleta Cemetery. They are as much a part of tradition there as the mausoleums, which house the remains of such luminaries as Evita Perón. Filled with wondrous stone sculptures, the enclosed city center cemetery is a series of narrow walkways, flanked on either side by elaborate one- and two-story mausoleums. There are no headstones or plots here; only intricately carved houses for the dead and home to about 80 live cats.

I approached Marta and asked her about her work.

“Yes, I come every day and feed them and check them and clean up after them.”

“Do you have help?”

“Well, another lady helped for awhile, but she is now unable for health reasons.”

I was charmed. She knew every cat by name and if a new one appeared, she christened it appropriately. We went all over the cemetery, dishing out the “porridge” she had prepared onto Styrofoam plates that were afterward gathered, washed and reused the next day. She put out water and picked up their droppings. The cats are all sterilized and have veterinary care and food and water.

When they are beyond this care, they are humanely euthanized. The mausoleums, especially the abandoned ones, provide shelter. And, of course, the payback is that the cats keep the cemetery rodent-free. All of this is done privately with no help from the city of Buenos Aires.

When I travel, I check out what happens to homeless dogs and cats in other countries. There are wonderful, big-hearted people in unexpected places who connect to abandoned animals and provide succor, while experiencing boundless satisfaction in their work.

Are you drawn to help an innocent animal? The Sociedad Protectora de Animales (SPA) has programs to sponsor animals if your personal situation disallows ownership. Volunteers can walk dogs and cuddle cats. Check our website at www.spasanmiguel.org.  

Volunteer hours are 11am–2pm, Monday–Friday at Los Pinos 7 near the bus station. Or call 152-6124 with specific questions during the same hours.
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